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The Law of Taking Wudhu before Sleep for Menstruating Women

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Before going to bed, it is recommended to perform wudhu first so that we can sleep soundly. As stated in the following hadith:

From the hadith of Al-Bara’ bin Ibn Azib Radhiyallahu ‘Anhu, the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam said,

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ مَضْجَعَكَ فَتَوَضَّأْ وُضُوءَكَ لِلصَّلاَةِ ، ثُمَّ اضْطَجِعْ عَلَى شِقِّكَ الأَيْمَنِ

“If you come to your bed, the wudhu is like ablution for prayer, then lie down on the right side of your body.” (Narrated by Bukhari, no. 247; Muslim, no. 2710)

There are several opinions on this matter. Some of them are reviewed further below.

An-Nawawi mentioned the opinion of the Syafiiyah Islamic scholars,

أما أصحابنا فإنهم متفقون على أنه لا يستحب الوضوء والنفساء لأن الوضوء لا يؤثر حدثهما فإن كانت الحائض قد انقطعت حيضتها صارت كالجنب

“The scholars of our school (Syafi’iyah) agreed that it is not recommended for menstruating women to perform wudhu (before going to bed) because the wudhu does not affect their status, because when their menstrual blood has stopped (while they have not done holy bath), the law is like the junub .” (Shahih Muslim Syarh, 3/218)

From Aisha Radhiyallahu ‘Anha,

كَانَ النَّبِىُّ – صلى الله عليه وسلم – إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَنَامَ وَهْوَ جُنُبٌ ، غَسَلَ فَرْجَهُ ، وَتَوَضَّأَ لِلصَّلاَةِ

“The Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam was washed his genitals and then performed wudhu as ablution for prayer before going to sleep.” (HR. Bukhari, no. 288)

Aisha was once asked by Abdullah bin Abu Qais regarding the condition of the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam,

كَيْفَ كَانَ يَصْنَعُ فِى الْجَنَابَةِ أَكَانَ يَغْتَسِلُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَنَامَ أَمْ يَنَامُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ قَالَتْ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ قَدْ كَانَ يَفْعَلُ رُبَّمَا اغْتَسَلَ فَنَامَ وَرُبَّمَا تَوَضَّأَ فَنَامَ. قُلْتُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِى جَعَلَ فِى الأَمْرِ سَعَةً.

“How would the Prophet Sallallaahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam be in a state of junub? Did he take a bath before going to bed or did he sleep before taking a shower?” Aisyah replied, “All was done by him. Sometimes he takes a shower, then sleeps. Sometimes he also performs wudhu, then sleeps.” Abdullah bin Abu Qais said, “All praise is to Allah who has made all matters so spacious.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 307)

[AdSense-B]

So, are Menstruating Women the Same as People who are in the State of Junub?

Regarding taking wudhu before bedtime for menstruating women, Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar quoted Ibn Daqiq Al-edied and Imam Syafi’i, saying that taking wudhu before going to bed does not apply to menstruating women. Because even though she is taking a shower, the menstrual blood still continues. This is different from the people who are in the state of junub. If their menstrual blood stops, but they do not take a bath immediately, then the status is the same as the people who are in the state of junub. (Fath Al-Bari, 1: 395)

That is the explanation of taking wudhu before bedtime for menstruating women. Hopefully it can be helpful for you. Insha Allah.